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Purdue women’s basketball adds alum Alex Guyton to staff

By Ben Rosof

Connecticut Huskies forward Maya Moore (23), Purdue Boilermakers guard/forward Dee Dee Williams (20), Connecticut Huskies guard Tiffany Hayes (3), and Purdue Boilermakers forward Alex Guyton (41) battle during first-half action in the second round of the women's NCAA basketball tournament at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. The Huskies won, 64-40. (Richard Messina/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Connecticut Huskies forward Maya Moore (23), Purdue Boilermakers guard/forward Dee Dee Williams (20), Connecticut Huskies guard Tiffany Hayes (3), and Purdue Boilermakers forward Alex Guyton (41) battle during first-half action in the second round of the women's NCAA basketball tournament at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. The Huskies won, 64-40. (Richard Messina/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) /
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What’s old is new again in West Lafayette

Purdue is hiring former Boilermaker Alex Guyton as its new Director of Player Development and Video Coordinator, it announced on Monday afternoon.

“I am thrilled to wear the old gold and black again,” Guyton said through an official release. “This program and university have made such a monumental influence on my life that I jumped at the chance to give back to a new generation of Boilermakers. I cannot thank Coach enough for giving me this opportunity.”

The move continues Guyton’s rapid climb in the coaching ranks, who returns to West Lafayette after playing for Purdue from 2008-2012. After graduating, Guyton briefly played overseas in Germany before transitioning to the sidelines at two different Indiana high schools: Warren Central from 2013-14 and Carmel from 2014-17. She was most recently an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois for two seasons.

According to the team’s official roster, the responsibilities Guyton will assume were previously held by Matthew Layman, who had been with Purdue since 2015. Guyton joins a staff headed by fellow Purdue alum Sharon Versyp, who enters her 14th season coaching the Boilermakers.

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – DECEMBER 16: Sharon Versyp womens head coach Purdue University Boilermakers signals from the sidelines during the game with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, Sunday, December 16, 2018, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – DECEMBER 16: Sharon Versyp womens head coach Purdue University Boilermakers signals from the sidelines during the game with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, Sunday, December 16, 2018, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

“I am excited to welcome Alex back home to Purdue,” Versyp said. “She will be a great addition to our staff. She understands what it takes in this program to succeed. Her knowledge of the system, my coaching and our standards will make her a valuable asset to our players.”

As a player, Guyton posted 13.4 minute, 4.5 point and 2.9 rebound per game averages over her four years in college. She led the team in blocks and steals during her junior season and scored a career-high 19 points against Auburn during her last year, when her team captured the Big Ten Tournament Championship.

Purdue is coming off a 19-15 season (8-10 in Big Ten play) ending with a loss to Rutgers in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, but there are reasons for optimism leading up to its season opener on November 10 against Milwaukee. The Boilermakers return their top three scorers from last year ⁠— Karissa McLaughlin (15.1 ppg), Dominique Odeon (14.4 ppg) and Ae’Rianna Harris (13.1 ppg). The team also adds 6’4 freshman Rickie Woltman, the 29th overall prospect in her class according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz.

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